Chapter 186

Chapter 186
Drew

Drew’s peaceful rest was broken by faint terrified screams. He strained to listen to the chaos through the entire castle. He tried to slip out from under his sleeping mate without waking her, to no avail.

Stormy’ eyes flew open and she quickly began to get to her feet. Something is wrong!

“I feel it too.” Drew said as Stormy waved her hand and performed her cleansing spell on all the mates. She dressed them in their black armored training gear that had become standard during their time with Angie.

David, Damian and Dean stumbled to their feet. “What’s going on,” Dean said as he wiped sleep from his eyes.

“It sound like an attack,” Damian said as he seemed to be straining to listen. His eyes were already turning crimson and his teeth were elongating.

“Let’s go,” Drew said as he rushed to the door. He was worried for his people. He took the lead rushing towards to source of the sounds. He was fairly convinced the commotion was not actually coming from inside the castle walls.

The main halls were completely deserted as they ran. Drew made it to the front doors of the fortress and burst out onto the palace grounds. It was mass confusion. Servants were running around screaming, while the guards looked like they didn’t know where to begin. Drew was about to call everyone to order when Shawna teleported into the grounds.

“Everyone stop!” She yelled as her voice boomed across the grounds. The people froze and turned to look at her. “Go to your posts as we practiced.” She ordered.

A sense of peace and calm settled over the people and they immediately began to organize. The weaker subjects and servants began to gather the children and move quietly towards the shelters. The guards ran to their posts and the fae strong enough to fight grabbed their weapons and took up secondary positions.

Shawna turned and caught sight of Drew who was rushing across the field to her. She bowed to him humbly. She looked relived.

“I am sorry, my king. I didn’t realize you had returned, but I am grateful. I have received word that there is trouble at the temple.” Shawna said with a frantic expression.

“I have been told that the forbidden tree has split and shadow warriors are pouring out.” Shawna explained as she began to lead them towards the temple.

“It’s started” Damian growled.

Drew and the Kindred raced to the temple. The ground under them shook and the temple itself appeared to be on fire as they rushed forward. The blue blooms that had begun to grow on the tree since Stormy’s arrival, lay in the ground, trampled near the entrance.

Stormy grabbed Drew’s hand as they rushed through the doors to the back of the temple. The once magnificent tree now looked like it had been struck by lightning. The tree was burnt and black. The trunk was open and black shadows seemed to be pouring out of its depths.

As soon as the shadows left the presence of the tree, they formed into solid shadow elf warriors. But rather than attacking, they simply disappeared like they were teleporting away. It took a few blinks for Drew to understand what he was seeing.

“They are using the tree as a catalyst.” He told Stormy. He remember that the warriors who had been interrogated had said that the shadow army was trapped since the Frost queen couldn’t use the elf island to power her magic. Now he realized she had used the forbidden tree. A tree that had once stood for unity. Now it was a gateway to destruction.

Drew found himself filled with rage. He shook from head to toe as he raised his hand and attacked the tree with his fae fire.

To his disappointment the tree gate seemed unfazed by his attack. Warriors were still coming into his land. In frustration he tried to attack the shadows as they formed from the crack but his fire simply shot through them, causing no harm.

Drew looked at Stormy and shook his head. She nodded in acknowledgment. She raised her hands and attempted to freeze the tree, creating a huge ice barrier over the opening where the warriors were appearing. It broke immediately and the next warrior just stepped onto the ice, causing it to crunch before he disappeared.

Next Stormy formed a protective bubble around the tree wrapping her power around the trunk. The shadow looked like it was bumping and pushing against it, but no more warriors appeared. Stormy had managed to find a temporary stop gap but Drew know that it was not a long-term solution. It would be impossible for her to hold the magic forever.

“Now what?” Drew heard Dean ask as he approached.

“We need to destroy the tree so that the bridge between where the warriors are and this place collapses.” David said.

“How?” Drew said with a shrug. “My fae fire only seemed to feed the crack. I swear it looked like it was getting bigger.”

“I noticed Stormy’s ice didn’t work either.” Dean said.

“I can try dragon fire.” David suggested. “It will damage the temple,” he warned.

“Do it,” Drew hissed. He was desperate and willing to try anything to stop the army and keep his mate safe.

David shifted into his dragon form quickly and Drew could see the fire burning in his Kindred’s belly. David opened his mouth and fire roared out. It was massive, almost thirty feet across. It was twice the size of the ones he had been making during training.

Drew realized too late that this was likely a product of Stormy completing the blue stone pendant around her neck. He could only stand in shock and awe as the tree caught fire and began to melt.

Stormy released her shield and the shadows began to dissipate. She turned to look at David with wide eyes. Drew could feel her surprise through the bond.

Unfortunately, the destruction didn’t end with the tree. David’s flame breath had been so large it also blew out the back of the temple like a bomb had been placed there. Debris flew through the air and the ceiling around them began to give way.

“SORRY!” David said as he snapped his jaws

“Run” Dean yelled as they all dashed out of the building, while pieces of it fell around them.